10 Comments - truth - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 7:57 am: Does anyone recall the last time Rod Blagojevich told the truth? WAKE UP ILLINOIS ! - LINK - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 7:58 am: I just read the estimated box office sales for these past weekends movies and what with the release of “Hot Rod” and the rest of the current and new releases, they just seemed to reflect the current state of Illinois politics. In tenth place and just released was “Bratz” which just has to be based on the four tops and Elvis. In addition, while the Governor might believe he is number one, his new movie, “Hot Rod” came in ninth – kind of like real life… And in eighth place and still going strong was “Transformers” and that certainly reflects the Governor’s ability to flip-flop-flip and change into whatever meets the day’s mood and press sound bites. Which leads us to seventh place is the movie “No Reservations”. And while the movie is about chefs it could certainly reflect the Governor again and how he will throw anybody and everybody – especially State workers – under the bus without any hesitation or reservations. Then in sixth place, and certainly a blockbuster this summer, is the newest Harry Potter movie that is about the Phoenix, a mythical bird rising from the ashes – just like what we hope our state budget will accomplish. But then again the movie is fantasy and so just might be our chances for a budget that the people of Illinois want, deserve and can afford. In fifth place is “Hairspray”. Need I even mention our Governor again… And in its third week is a buddy movie, “I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry” which is about two dedicated public servants who get married as a matter of convenience. Could this be about Emil and Rod but without the humor? In new release is “Underdog” which is about a dog who is bestowed with great powers after an accident in Dr. Barsinister’s lab who if you squint real, real hard, the actor who plays him looks a little like Mike Madigan. And of course, we all know how the Governor has a Napoleonic complex and likes to fight his way out of situations where he is considered the underdog himself only to surprise everyone – mainly himself when he does not get what he wants! And in it’s second week is “The Simpsons Movie”. And while that Ben & Jerry rigged contest stole the movie premier away from Springfield, we all know it is really all about our very own capital and the craziness that goes on here. And in number one is the “Bourne Ultimatum” and that just has to refer to Governor Blagojevich’s Friday ultimatum number (fill-in the blank) where he threatens to shutdown the State and melt down the sacred Butter Cow to eat his lobster with… - Cassandra - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:13 am: Youth in Illinois and across the country should be worried about the future if the feds continue to give all our money to the Iraqis to fight their civil war. 600 billion already and another 400 billion even if we get out in the next year or so. They’ll be paying it off all their working lives. As to uninsured youth…it is a problem. And a substantial percentage of the uninsured are young people starting out. Even if nothing else gets done in the health care field, the legislature should extend Medicaid coverage for state wards ageing out of the system up to, say, age 30, along with allowing this same age group to stay on their parents’ insurance. This would be helpful to middle class parents like myself who ended up paying thousands to purchase individual policies for their twentysomething kids until they found a job with health insurance. With all the money the (Dem-run) state is throwing at the wealthy and the so-called poor, this would be a small offering to the middle class. And the middle class is getting little out of the various budget proposals except maybe not getting income or sales taxes raised. That’s better than nothing, but not nearly enough, given that we pay the bulk of the state taxes. - Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:41 am: Welcome back, Paul. We’ve missed you. - Squideshi - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:40 am: “We might as well admit it up front: The first time we heard of the liberal blogging network known as Daily Kos was when Bill O’Reilly dissed it on his show.” Nope. I knew about it in advance, registered, and participated online via Second Life. In fact, I was there handing out free virtual Green Party t-shirts to all in attendance. If anyone else wants one, just let me know. Incidentally, Rich, if you want a Capitol Fax t-shirt to give away in Second Life, just let me know–I would be happy to make one for you. - Captain America - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:52 am: Tony Peraica couldnt get elected dogcatcher in Cook County after his “midnight march” on David Orr’s office. It did make for great political theater/farce, but it will also make a great campaign commercial for the opposing candidate. - Paul Richardson - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:08 am: Glad to be back. It’s hard to stay away from this place. - Kevin Robinson - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:15 am: The Tribune wrote an editorial on Netroots. But Chicagoist covered the event, and sent a staff writer to mingle at the convention. Just sayin…. - MOON - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:15 pm: THE ASSESSORS PROBLEMS ARE OF HIS OWN DOING. HE SETS THE LEVEL OF ASSESSMENTS. THEN HE COMES TO SPRINGFIELD SEEKING HELP FOR HIS OWN BLUNDERS. HOULIHAN YOU DUG THIS HOLE, QUIT BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR INCOMPETENCE. IF THE TAXES ARE TO HIGH THEN LOWER THE LEVEL OF ASSESSMENT ; OR GO AFTER THE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT WHO CONSTANTLY SPEND MORE THAN THEY COLLECT. TOM HYNES AND TOM TULLY NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WHEN THEY WERE IN OFFICE. BUT , THEY WERE PROFESSIONALS. - Cat - Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 2:31 pm: Wow! Paul is back! Capitol Fax is addicting! Congratulations to Rich! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.